STRAIT · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND CHARTERERS
The Strait of Messina
The Strait of Messina separates Sicily from mainland Italy, under a traffic separation scheme and a reporting system. On Livorno to Taranto it saves 168 nm: 639 nm through it, 807 nm without.
Voyages through the Strait of Messina
Real voyages NaviBoss plans through the Strait of Messina, and the distance when the planner's padlock shuts it.
| Voyage | Through it | Without it | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livorno to Taranto | 639 nm | 807 nm | +168 nm |
| Barcelona to Trieste | 1,337 nm | 1,388 nm | +51 nm |
| Marseille to Taranto | 801 nm | 918 nm | +117 nm |
Zones here
At the Strait of Messina: Mediterranean ECA (Emission Control Area) and Mediterranean (MARPOL Special Area) (MARPOL Special Area).
See the piracy map and the ECA guide.
Navigational warnings
The Strait of Messina is in NAVAREA III. Keep its in-force warnings, and check the local notices and the vessel traffic service before the transit.
Questions about the Strait of Messina
Where is the Strait of Messina?
The Strait of Messina separates Sicily from mainland Italy, under a traffic separation scheme and a reporting system. NaviBoss places it at about 38°14.9′N 015°38.6′E, in NAVAREA III.
How much distance does the Strait of Messina save?
On Livorno to Taranto, 168 nm: 639 nm through the Strait of Messina against 807 nm without it. At 14 knots that is about 0.5 days.
Which voyages go through the Strait of Messina?
For example Livorno to Taranto, Barcelona to Trieste and Marseille to Taranto.
Is the Strait of Messina in a piracy or war-risk area?
Not as of the date on this page: it lies in no ITF/IBF warlike area, JWC listed area or piracy hotspot that NaviBoss draws.
Other canals and straits
- Suez Canal
- Panama Canal
- Kiel Canal
- Corinth Canal
- Strait of Gibraltar
- Strait of Dover
- Bab el-Mandeb
- Strait of Hormuz
- Malacca Strait
- Singapore Strait
- Sunda Strait
- Makassar Strait
- Torres Strait
- Taiwan Strait
- Tsugaru Strait
- Bosporus
- Dardanelles
- Øresund (The Sound)
- Strait of Sicily
- Strait of Bonifacio
- Cape of Good Hope
- Strait of Magellan
- Bass Strait
- Windward Passage
- Straits of Florida
- Strait of Juan de Fuca
- San Bernardino Strait
- Verde Island Passage
- Balabac Strait
- Pentland Firth
Avoid it on your own voyage
In the planner, tap the padlock on the Strait of Messina (or any of 950 passages) and the route is re-planned the other way, with the extra miles shown. Free with an account.
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NaviBoss guides are written and checked by maritime industry experts, masters and deck officers. Each one is built from the same data the planner uses, dated, and rebuilt when that data changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.
A planning aid, not for navigation. Check official charts and publications, the latest notices and your company's instructions before you rely on any figure here.